Guild Wars 2

Hello everyone,
I’am looking to start upgrading my desktop to get some better performance in big raids (WvW /PVP/ ect…). My computer runs good and smooth until theres huge battles or big towns. It still runs and works, but id like it to be smooth and fast all the time.
This is what im working with right now and it seems to be good until I hit huge scenarios/cities/towns.

Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6002) Service Pack 2 (6002.vistasp2_gdr.130104-1437)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Unknow
System Model: Unknow
BIOS: Phoenix – AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 6000+ (2 CPUs), ~3.0GHz
Memory: 3454MB RAM
Page File: 1138MB used, 6004MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11

Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce GTX 550 Ti
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_1244&SUBSYS_089C10DE&REV_A1
Display Memory: 2448 MB
Dedicated Memory: 977 MB
Shared Memory: 1471 MB
Current Mode: 1920 × 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
Driver Name: nvd3dum.dll,nvwgf2um.dll,nvwgf2um.dll
Driver Version: 9.18.0013.1422 (English)

I did some research and as I suspected my motherboard is really old. AM2 is the socket and all the good processors are AM3+. Do you guys think its my processor? or should I throw some more memory in it? (holds 8,currently have 4g). or could it be my graphics card?

Thanks all.

Yes its the CPU.

Personaly i only advise people go for the FX8350 if they can already fit it, otherwise i say go for a intel build.

That said there is an exception, that be when som1 is on a VERY tight budget and currently has a really old system.

For you, i think ur kinda on the edge really. If u have the money u should deffinatly try get a 3570k rig, or better yet a 3770k. If u cant afford a intel build u will want nothing less than AMD’s best, the FX8350.
Both builds i recommend u get a after market cooler like the CoolerMaster Evo 212 (or better if u can), and then OC the CPU to around 4.5ghz. Remember if u change ur CPU and mothebroard, ur likely gunan need new RAM, if ur on DDR2 u will need ot replace it with DDR3, thankfully RAM isnt all that expensive.

Your GPU is fine imo, if ur ok with current settings (im guessing medium) from a visual standpoint, then u can stick with those settings and just get rid of ur current CPU bottleneck.

No rig out their can play GW2 WvW and stay above 30 FPS when the culling is completly turned off. However with the CPU’s i stated above u can ‘potentialy’ get around the 30fps mark as a minimum FPS if you keep the texture culling on low or very low, u can keep character limit set ot highest so u can see every1 all the time. The rest fo the normal graphics settingsu can just set to what ever ur GPU can handle which will likely be medium.

i was running amd 965 3.4 black editon, NOT OVERCLOCKED, with the same gtx 550ti and was running all max settings except shaders on low, and reflections to off. and was getting 50+FPS everywhere except wvw zergs and huge events. an intel build for this game is a waste IMO.. i have recently upgraded to a FX 6300 vishera and an HD 7850 gpu, (and gave my g/f all my old parts fro her pc) and run ALL maxed out settings 50fps+ everywhere. a wvw zerg will drop your FPS no matter what you are running. so dont waste the money. an 8350 is a waste of money. my fx 6300 runs 3.5ghz, i can overclock the hell out of it if i want, but i dont need to. i get 20-30fps+ in zergs.. so buy an asus m5a97 mobo and an fx 6300, should cost you 220$ish i didnt use the stock cooler, i run a hyper 212. and my pc never gets over 40c maxing gw2 for hours…

Thank you both for the good information. I have another question as well. If i were to get a new motherboard and a new processor, would I have to upgrade my current version of windows? or re install windows?

Agreed on the FX 6300 for the price compaired to spending double for a i5 that will net you almost nothing FPS wise. For black sun that was a good choice clock that baby up to about 4.5 and it will roll.

CourageTheCowardlyDog.5827:

Thank you both for the good information. I have another question as well. If i were to get a new motherboard and a new processor, would I have to upgrade my current version of windows? or re install windows?

If this was a store bought PC you could run into alot of problems. A link to the exact PC or the mother board model would help, also SATA HDD and CD/DVD player or IDE. The IDE is a thin cable about 1" wide sata is about 1/4" wide.

NO, you woul dnot have to reinstall winows.. what is gonna happen is if you get a new mobo and new CPU, when you plug it all in with your current harddrive with windows vista, it may give an error about validating windows, in which case you need to just call microsoft support and bullkitten lie about, etc my HD crashed i needed to reinstall need help activating, they will activate it no problems..

Alright excellent. Sounds good. Thank you guys for the responses. Much appreciated.

One other thing, sorry guys lol. Im reading some information on that m5a97 and its stating with windows operating systems that are 32-bit, it may only recognize less then 3gb of memory. Does this mean i can only have 3-4gb of memory with windows vista 32bit? Also, yes I bought this PC at bestbuy like 5 years ago ^^. replaced the fans,graphics card, memory and the p/s. The mobo and the cpu are stock on it.

a 32bit operating system, be it vista/7/8 whatever can only see/use 4gig of ram. a 64bit OS can use alot more. 4 should be enough for you, i have 8gig ddr3 and i never use more than 3gig doin alot of stuff.

what brand of PC do you have. FYI most shelf computers are running a smaller than regular case and only fit a micro atx size mobo. and sometimes the screws are even diff to deter upgrading. that m5a97 is a full size ATX board.

if your upgrading your proccessor, make sure your power supply can handle it.

google cpuid and dload that it will tell you your exact mobo so you can google it and see what processors are supported. because if you decide to just drop a phenom 2 quad core in a board that can only handle 95watts you’ll fry it, and im betting your stock mobo will top out at 95watts.